Awards of Germany - Silver Medal for Merit in Military Postal Pigeon Breeding 1883/84

William I established this medal in 1883 in 3 classes, gold, silver and bronze (copper). Thus, the importance of military-postal pigeon breeding was taken into account. This medal was awarded to breeders and responsible workers in military service who deserved postal pigeon breeding in military service. Markey created the coin medalist Emil Weigand (20.11.1837-25.03.1906) from Berlin. It was Friedrich Wilhelm Kullrich's successor at the Berlin Mint as 1st Coin Medallist. Minting numbers were: 38 pieces in gold, 1003 pieces in silver and 1187 pieces in bronze.
This medal was repeatedly awarded by Wilhelm II. renewed. Versions of 1893, 1911, 1913 and 1916 are known. The gold medal was smaller by 30 mm, silver and bronze - by 41 mm.
In 1894, the special importance of carrier pigeons in the Navy was marked by a separate medal "For Merit in Marine Postal Pigeon Breeding."

Round silver medal with raised border.

Front side:

In the
• center is a right-facing portrait of William I.
• Along the edge curved inscription: - WILHELM - DEUTSCHER - KAISER -
• Under the neck small print: - E. - WEIGAND - F. -

Downside:

• Along the edge is a wide ring with the inscription:
• - FOR - MERIT - UM - DAS - MILITAIR - CARRIER PIGEON - bottom six-pointed star.
In
• midfield, a mail pigeon flying to the left.
• In the background is the city, on the right is a wall with a pennant on the mast.
• Below the horizontal line are two crossed feathers and the letter - W -.

Paintings from the collection of Mikhail Belenky.

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